RAWALPINDI, Oct 15: The Punjab government on Wednesday placed all 32 jails in the province on red alert following an attempted jailbreak in Karachi’s Malir prison, Dawn has learnt.

Acting on instructions by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the home department, directives were issued to the jail staff to thoroughly search visitors and their belongings when they enter the prison premises.

According to officials, the authorities have been advised to keep the outer gates of the detention facilities locked all times, and keep an eye on “suspicious” people moving around the prisons.

The authorities were also told to keep a close watch on people sitting in waiting rooms.

Most jails in the province have already set up sandbag bunkers at entry and exit points.

The Central Jail Adiala in Rawalpindi, which houses prisoners more than double of its capacity, is considered one of the most sensitive detention facilities in the province.— Staff Reporter